The Four Leaf Clover (Marsilea quadrifolia) is a water fern of which
the leaves look like clovers. Do you think that the terms water fern and clover
has nothing to do with each other? On the contrary – both of these terms
describes the characteristics of these unusual very decorative and practical
unknown plants in the gardening world.

The Four Leaf Clover has long rhizomes, which makes one think of shoelaces.
Leaves that float on the water, grow from the rhizomes. These leaves are divided
into 4 parts, resembling four-leaf clover. When you take the rhizomes out of
the water in the autumn, small little objects are seen (it looks like small
beans). It is sporocarps in which there are spores – from there the
conclusion that these plants stem from ferns. The Four Leaf Clover grows in
still standing water, rich in nutritive substances, on all continents, except
South America.

In America, this plant is considered an intruder plant. In Slovakia, this
plant grows on 7 places on the banks of the river Latorica. In former days, it
appeared in the area of the River Bodrog, Laborec and Uh.

In tropical areas there are some related species, these are sometimes grown
in aquariums.

The Four Leaf Clover (Marsilea quadrifolia), subject to cultivation,
is not a demanding plant and is more than satisfied with any pot as long as it
is filled with water and a little soil at the bottom. You can grow this plant
without any trouble in a pot of 20×20×20 cm, but ideal size of the pot is
60–80 liters or more. You can also keep this plant outside during the whole
year (as it is frost tolerant). Since it is not a demanding plant, and easy to
grow, anyone can grow it.

The Four Leaf Clover will grow the best in a garden pond. Just put little
soil from your garden at the bottom of the pond – then place a rhizome into a
soil. After this, very little care is needed, as the Four Leaf Clover will look
after itself. The Four Leaf Clover will adapt easily to the water level and the
quality of the water is of no concern for the plant. You can grow it in several
depths (5–100 cm) – the plant’s stems will adapt itself to the depth of
the water until its leaves float on the water. You can help the plant spread by
splitting up the rhizomes. A little rhizome (around 10 cm) is more than enough
to create a carpet of Four Leaf Clover on the water.

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